The soft, golden rays of the morning sun slipped through the curtains, casting a warm, amber glow over the room. The gentle light illuminated the space, creating a peaceful contrast to the chaos that often surrounded Xavier’s life.He lay in the warmth of his bed, his body still cocooned in a sense of calm. As the remnants of sleep clung to his mind, he let out a slow, contented sigh and turned his head to the side.There she was—Ember. Her serene face was partially buried in the pillow, her dark, silky hair fanned out like an intricate tapestry against the white fabric. She looked so peaceful, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm that matched the calm he felt, if only for a fleeting moment.A soft smile tugged at Xavier’s lips, an unfamiliar tenderness swelling in his chest. It wasn’t often that he allowed himself to bask in moments like this. Slowly, carefully, he leaned over, his lips brushing against the delicate curve of her neck in a kiss so gentle it was barely a whi
The heavy wooden doors of Xavier’s mansion slammed shut behind him as he stormed into the foyer, Zane and Alana trailing nervously in his wake. His jaw was clenched, his fists tight at his sides. The raw anger radiated off him like an electric charge, thick enough to feel.He barely registered Calla and Logan sitting in the living room until he threw his coat and phone onto the sofa with a sharp, furious grunt.Zane, ever the defiant one, shoved his hands deep into his pockets, his eyes filled with discomfort, but his stance never wavered. Alana, on the other hand, looked ready to break, her small shoulders trembling as tears streaked down her cheeks. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, thick with tension and unspoken words.Logan was the first to speak, his gaze flicking between Xavier and the children, his voice calm but laced with concern. "What happened?" he asked.Xavier took a long, shuddering breath, trying to rein in the storm inside him, but it was clear the pressure was to
Bella moved gracefully around her small kitchen, the scent of garlic and herbs filling the air as she stirred the pot of stew simmering on the stove. It was a peaceful evening, but as she moved from counter to counter, her thoughts were anything but calm.She was on leave from school and still her mind was occupied with the twins—Zane and Alana—whom she hadn’t seen for days. She knew they had been suspended for a week from school due to their bad behavior. The news weighed heavily on her.What were they going through now? she wondered.What kind of turmoil must they be feeling inside?Bella knew the twins needed someone who could reach them, someone who could give them the time, love, and care they desperately needed. She thought of how their wildness wasn’t truly their fault; it was a reflection of the pain they carried, the chaos they had inherited.She then reminded herself of the job offer given by their father, but she couldn’t accept it.How could I accept his job offer when my
The evening sun had begun to dip behind the distant hills, casting a warm, golden glow over the sprawling farm where Mayor Thompson's daughter, Merry, was getting married. Calla felt a flutter of excitement in the air as she looked around at the beautifully decorated grounds.Twinkling lights hung from the trees, and the sweet scent of fresh flowers mingled with the soft country breeze. The wedding was everything she had imagined—grand yet intimate—and Calla couldn't help but smile, soaking in the moment. Xavier stood beside her, his steady presence a comfort, but she knew this wouldn’t last."Are you having a good time?" Xavier asked, his hand lightly brushing her back."I’m loving it," she replied, her eyes sparkling as she scanned the guests. "It’s beautiful here."Xavier gave her a soft smile but didn’t linger. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, frowning slightly at the caller ID. His manager."Excuse me," Xavier said, casting her a quick apologetic glance befor
Xavier sat at his sleek, polished walnut desk, the rich, dark wood gleaming under the harsh, artificial glow of the fluorescent lights above. The faint hum of electricity filled the silence of his office, punctuating the stillness. His fingers lightly tapped the edge of the desk as he stared at the stack of papers in front of him. The documents detailed the latest financial reports—pages filled with numbers, projections, and analyses that usually held his undivided attention. But today, his focus wavered.No matter how hard he tried to concentrate, his thoughts kept drifting back to Zane and Alana. The twins had been suspended from school after the latest incident, and Xavier still hadn’t found a caretaker for them.He was trying to stay composed, to approach the situation logically, but a deep sense of frustration simmered beneath the surface. The truth was, he had no idea how to handle them. Their energy, their chaos—it all felt like too much for him to manage alone.The sudden vibr
The morning sun had barely started its ascent, its golden rays timidly filtering through the thick, opulent curtains of the sprawling mansion. The light casts a soft, almost ethereal glow across the grand interior, highlighting the polished floors and pristine decor.In their rooms, Zane and Alana were already stirring. Despite their suspension from school, their internal clocks remained unchanged, waking them early as if they were somewhere they needed to be.The mansion itself was unnervingly quiet in the early hours, save for the faint rustle of the household staff beginning their daily routines. The twins had spent countless days cooped up inside, and the house, with all its size and luxury, had started to feel more like a gilded cage than a sanctuary.“I’m so bored,” Zane groaned, his voice heavy with exasperation as he flopped dramatically onto the plush couch in the lounge.His restless energy seemed to ripple through the room, his frustration palpable as he stared up at the ce
The sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Calla’s bedroom as she stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the soft fabric of her dress. It was simple but elegant—a cream-colored blouse tucked into a sleek black skirt. Calla’s reflection stared back at her, a mix of nervousness and anticipation flickering in her eyes. No one knew about this—especially not Xavier—but she had started seeing Drake again.It had been a few weeks since their unexpected reunion, and despite the tension that had initially hung between them, something had shifted. Drake wasn’t the same impulsive, rough-around-the-edges man she remembered. He had changed. He seemed more composed now—polished, thoughtful, and, surprisingly, gentle.Calla couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward this new version of him. But part of her was still torn. How could she possibly explain this to Xavier? She knew he’d never understand. He’d never accept it. Not yet.With a sigh, she picked up her phone and typed out a quick text to
Xavier stood outside the door to Bella Abram’s apartment, his mind racing, thoughts tumbling over each other in a swirl of confusion and uncertainty. The decision had been slowly simmering in his mind for days, maybe even weeks, but now, standing right here in front of the door, it felt so much heavier.Zane and Alana, his twins, were his responsibility. But, with no one around who could help him handle their constant, wild energy and unrelenting chaos, his life had become nothing short of a battlefield. And that battlefield felt like it was slowly suffocating him. He needed someone. He needed Bella. He needed someone who could step into the role of a caretaker and balance out the madness that had taken over since the twins arrived in his life. Without that help, he would be lost.He took a deep breath, bracing himself, and reached out to knock on the door. But, just as his knuckles were about to make contact with the wood, the door swung open abruptly.Startled, he froze, his thumb h
Xavier stepped out of the car, his feet meeting the cold pavement of the court building's exterior. The air was heavy, charged with tension. Calla, Logan, and his team of lawyers followed closely behind, their expressions tense but determined. It was the first hearing of the case filed by James Tyler, the man who had somehow become entangled with Xavier’s life through Drake’s twisted plans.Xavier adjusted his tie, his jaw clenched as he scanned the crowd. He knew this would be a long and painful process, but what bothered him most was the prospect of public humiliation. The fact that his family—his children—were being dragged into this mess made his stomach churn with anger."Stay close," Logan murmured to him, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of James or Drake.Xavier nodded and took a deep breath, attempting to calm his rising frustration. But before they could enter the building, Xavier spotted a familiar figure in the crowd—Drake. He was standing near the entrance, a smug
Xavier sat in his office, his fingers lightly tapping the desk as he stared at the stack of papers before him. His mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts—about Bella, about the twins, about the court case that loomed ever closer. The weight of everything seemed too much to bear in that moment, and he was struggling to focus, to breathe even.Just as the silence in the room became suffocating, there was a knock at the door. Xavier looked up, grateful for the interruption."Come in," he called, his voice hoarse.The door opened, and Logan stepped inside, his expression unreadable. He had been investigating James Tyler, and Xavier had been waiting for some news, though he wasn’t sure what kind of news he wanted to hear. He only knew that this man—this stranger—was somehow linked to Drake, and that meant nothing good.Logan closed the door behind him and approached Xavier's desk, sitting down without waiting for an invitation. His eyes met Xavier's with a quiet seriousness."I’ve found
The evening was quiet as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting an orange glow over the mansion. The air in the house felt heavy, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting for something to give. Inside Xavier’s room, the soft rustling of papers and the occasional sound of a distant voice filled the silence. Xavier sat at his desk, his eyes scanning over documents, but his mind was elsewhere. It had been a long day—too many worries piling on top of each other—and still, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped in a maze he couldn’t escape.The soft knock on the door broke him from his thoughts. He turned to see Calla standing in the doorway, her expression serious but caring. She had been quiet for the past few days, perhaps sensing the weight of everything that had been happening."Xavier," Calla began, her voice low yet steady, "I need to talk to you."Xavier sighed and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "What is it, Calla?"She stepped inside and closed
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains of the guest bedroom, casting a warm glow on the delicate features of Bella’s face. Yet, despite the peaceful scene, she felt anything but peaceful. Her body ached more than it used to, and her once vibrant energy had begun to wane. Her pregnancy had become to feel like a burden. Complications had started to arise, and Bella knew she couldn't ignore them much longer.She sat up in bed, holding her stomach with both hands as if trying to protect the tiny life inside her, yet it felt more like an anchor, weighing her down. She could feel the pressure of uncertainty mounting inside her. The emotional turmoil was nearly as consuming as the physical exhaustion.The door creaked open, and Bella's gaze lifted to see Calla standing in the doorway. "How are you feeling today?" Calla asked gently, her eyes scanning Bella’s face. There was no judgment in her gaze—just concern. Calla knew about her pregnancy since beginning and she also knew th
The phone call hung heavily in the air as Xavier stared at the device in his hand, his jaw clenched tight. The reality of the situation had sunk in, but it only made the questions multiply. Who was this James Tyler? What did he want? Why was he claiming Zane and Alana as his children when Xavier knew, without a shadow of a doubt, they were his?Logan sat across from Xavier in his office, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on Xavier’s every move."Are you going to call him?" Logan asked, his voice low but firm. "You can’t let this linger. The sooner you get to the bottom of it, the better."Xavier sighed deeply, running his fingers through his hair. He had just received the phone number of James Tyler from his lawyer. It felt like a final step before confronting the chaos that was beginning to unravel his life. His thoughts lingered on Zane and Alana. They were his children—no one could take that from him."I'm calling him," Xavier muttered under his breath, determination setting in. He grab
The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the windows of Xavier’s office as he sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. The silence of the room felt oddly suffocating today, as if the weight of something unspoken lingered in the air. Just as he leaned back in his chair to clear his mind, the sound of a knock at his door startled him."Come in," Xavier called out, his voice strained, tired.The door creaked open and his lawyer, Mr. Curtis, stepped in with a stern expression. "Xavier, I have something important for you," he said, holding up a letter, its edges slightly crinkled, as though it had been through a lot.Xavier's brow furrowed as he took the letter. "What is this?" he asked, eyeing the envelope, his fingers already starting to feel a twinge of anxiety.Mr. Curtis handed him the letter, his tone serious. "It’s a court summons," he said, taking a seat in front of Xavier's desk. "It claims that a man named James Tyler is asserting that Zane and Alana are his biological
The car pulled into the long driveway of Xavier’s mansion, its tires crunching against the gravel. Bella sat in the passenger seat, her hands resting over her stomach protectively. Her heart pounded against her ribs, yet her lips remained pressed together in silence. She was home. Or at least, she was back in the place she left to save her dignity.Xavier glanced at her from the driver’s seat, his usual stoic expression giving nothing away. “We’re here,” he said, but his voice lacked warmth.Bella didn’t respond. She simply opened the door and stepped out. The cold evening air brushed against her skin, making her shiver. This house held too many memories—some she wanted to cling to and others she wished she could forget.Before she could take another step, the front doors burst open. Two small figures ran toward her, their cries echoing through the night.“Bella!” Zane’s voice cracked as he threw himself into her arms.“Bella, you came back!” Alana sobbed, clinging to Bella’s dress as
The heavy sound of the front door slamming echoed through the quiet mansion, and Calla barely glanced up from the book she was reading in the living room. She knew exactly who it was—Drake, stumbling in with the unmistakable scent of alcohol on his breath. He had been drinking again, and she could already feel the tension building in the air.Drake wobbled into the room, his eyes bloodshot, his movements unsteady as he leaned against the doorframe for support. He let out a low laugh, clearly intoxicated. “Calla,” he slurred, his voice rough. “Come to bed with me.”Calla didn’t flinch. She had seen this scene too many times before. His drunken advances, his attempt to control her, to drag her into his world of manipulation and pain. But not tonight. Not anymore.“No, Drake,” she said quietly, her voice firm, unwavering. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”Drake’s face twisted into a scowl. He staggered forward, trying to close the distance between them, but Calla stood up and stepped ba
The sterile smell of the hospital room mixed with the dull hum of machines, creating an atmosphere that felt too suffocating for Bella to bear. She lay on the hospital bed, a drip running through the vein in her hand, her body still weak from the sudden collapse earlier. Her eyelids fluttered open, and her vision was blurry for a moment before it cleared. As she took in her surroundings, the reality of her situation hit her like a ton of bricks.She left Xavier's home, because he couldn't defend her. She thought that after the night of intimacy something had changed and she had gained some importance in Xavier's life. But the way Ember insulted her and Xavier remained silent, it made her realize she was wrong. She had no place and value in Xavier's life. So she left his house to safeguard her dignity. But even after leaving that place, she couldn't get peace. As Jacob didn't let her do so. He kept on pinching her ego and self respect so badly that her body and mind couldn't bear it an